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Religious experts claim the Pope carried out an “exorcism” on a boy in a wheelchair.

Footage from a Roman Catholic TV channel apparently shows Pope Francis gripping the boy’s head and pushing him down hard into his chair while reciting a prayer.

The youth’s mouth is said to have dropped open and he convulsed several times before slumping back in his wheelchair.

An exorcism expert told Italian newspaper La Repubblica: “It was a prayer of liberation from evil or even a real exorcism.”

And a commentator on TV 2000, the Italian channel which broadcast the footage, said: “The exorcists who have seen the images have no doubt – this was a liberation prayer from evil, or a real act of exorcism.”

But The Vatican insisted that the Argentine Pope was saying a prayer and denied he carried out an exorcism.

A spokesman said: “He didn’t intend to perform any exorcism but, as he often does for the sick or suffering, he simply intended to pray for someone.”

Francis has insisted since he was elected in March that he believes the Devil is a real force.

He refers to it as “The Enemy” and says that it needs to be fought constantly.

And the TV channel’s next broadcast will focus on Francis’ battle against the Devil and the temptations of evil.

The footage shows a smiling Francis in St Peter’s Square, Rome, after Pentecostal Mass on Sunday.

While embracing followers, he turned his attention to the unidentified boy.

His expression became more serious after a priest whispered in his ear. After the “exorcism” he began smiling again.

A priest claimed Pope John Paul II performed an unsuccessful exorcism in 2000 on a young woman who screamed and uttered blasphemies during his weekly audience.

Exorcism explained

Exorcism is the belief that demons can be driven out of people or a buildings.

Catholic exorcisms are performed in the name of Jesus Christ and priests must find out whether or not the subject is suffering from a mental or physical illness.

The priest recites prayers and, in some cases, weekly exorcisms are practised over years to get rid of demons.